Abstract: A circulating fluid bed reactor comprises a reactor chamber having a circumscribing wall, a particle separator to receive a particle - gas suspension from the reactor chamber, and means for returning the particles separated by the particle separator to the reactor chamber. In order to eliminate problems due to heat expansion of the parts of the reactor and to provide a simple structure, the particle separator has at least one cyclone having a chamber with a cylindrical outer surface forming a part of the circumscribing wall of the reactor chamber.

Abstract: A tube fin trimming machine adapted for clamping and cutting elongated finned structures, such as finned tubes. The trimming machine includes an elongated main frame having at least one guideway, support means attached to the baseplate and adapted for supporting the finned structure a carriage unit longitudinally movable relative to the main frame and guideway, and at least one cutting torch unit movably mounted on the carriage unit. Each cutting torch is mounted above an elongated fin and is moved both longitudinally and laterally relative to the fin, so as to provide a desired elongated tapered shape for the fin. This invention also includes a method for operation of the fin trimming machine to perform desired trimming operations on elongated finned structures, such as finned tubes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing or eliminating die breakage when performing a drawing operation on an open-sided channel member. A drawing die has an insert portion that includes a discrete element mounted for transverse movement with respect to the drawing direction. During a drawing operation, the discrete element is allowed to move transversely with respect to the remainder of the drawing die in response to variations in the drawing force transmitted to the discrete element through the channel member being drawn.

Abstract: A system for receiving and securing an object at sea comprises a framework installed on a ship and having a track. A cradle is mounted on the track for movement between two positions of which one is substantially at or below the water line of the ship. The cradle includes guides for directing the object into the cradle and a locking mechanism for securing the object therein. Means are also provided for moving the cradle between the two positions on the track. In a variant of the invention, the system can be adapted for use in receiving and securing an object in a marine environment on a receptor body more generally. Such system comprises a target mounted on the body and having guides for directing the objection into the target, and a winding mechanism with a line associated therewith. The line is attachable to the object and extends between the guides of the target. The mechanism is operable to wind in the line through the guides to draw the object into the target between the guides.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system and method in which a recycle heat exchange section, including an inlet compartment and a heat exchange compartment, is located within an enclosure housing the furnace section of the combustion system. The flue gases and entrained solids from a fluidized bed in the furnace section are separated, the flue gases are passed to a heat recovery section, and the separated particulate material is passed directly to the inlet compartment via a dipleg. The recycle heat exchange section includes a bypass chamber for permitting the separated solids to pass directly from the inlet compartment to the furnace section. Heat exchange tubes are provided in the heat exchange compartment to transfer heat from the separated material in the latter compartment to a fluid flow circuit for heating the fluid flow circuit. The separated material in the heat exchange compartment is passed back to the furnace section.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system and method in which a recycle heat exchanger is located adjacent the furnace section of the combustion system. A mixture of flue gases and entrained particulate materials from a fluidized bed in the furnace section are separated and the flue gases are passed to a heat recovery section and the separated particulate material to the fluidized bed in the recycle heat exchanger. A first chamber and plurality of additional chambers are formed in the recycle heat exchanger. A particulate material is supported in all of the additional chambers and air is introduced to each of the additional chambers to fluidize the material. The separated particulate material from the fluidized bed in the furnace section is introduced into one of the chambers and the chambers communicate to permit the material to flow between the chambers.

Abstract: Method and front-end fixture adapted for use with manually-operated electric stud welding guns, which permits the successful welding of a plurality of metal studs uniformly onto a workpiece. Various aspects of the invention provide for repeated accurate spacing of the studs as they are successively welded, for accurate alignment of a series of studs, and for each stud to be oriented in a disposition substantially perpendicular to the surface of the work piece. The preferred embodiments include a bracket mounted to a conventional welding gun, an alignment bushing mounted on the bracket forward of the chuck of the gun for contacting a previously-welded stud, and a footpiece mounted on the bracket rearward of the chuck.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system and method in which a recycle heat exchanger is located adjacent the furnace section of the recycle heat exchanger. Heat exchange surfaces are provided in one compartment of the heat exchanger for removing heat from the solids, and a bypass compartment is provided through which the solids directly pass to the furnace during start-up and low load conditions. A separate cooling compartment for the separated solids is disposed in the recycle heat exchange and valves are provided to selectively control the flow of solids between compartments.

Abstract: A plant having a combustion chamber can employ at least one heat pipe. The heat pipe is mounted to exchange heat between flue gas in a flue gas path and combustion air in a combustion air path. A protection system has a dual passage for separately conducting the flue gas and the combustion gas. The dual passage has a wall separating the flue gas path from the combustion air path. The heat pipe is mounted through the wall. A sensor is mounted about the heat pipe for providing a temperature signal signifying the temperature at the heat pipe. A damper is coupled to the sensor and communicates with the dual passage for mixing relatively cooler air with the flue gas in the dual passage, upstream of the heat pipe, in response to the temperature signal violating a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A cyclone separator roof which accommodates differential thermal expansion and contraction. When the inner and outer cylinders of a cyclone separator are operated at different temperatures, such as in a cyclone separator having walls formed by water-steam cooled tubes, this causes differential thermal expansion and contraction circumferentially and radially across a roof extending between such inner and outer cylinders. The cyclone separator roof of the present invention includes a corrugated, annular upper seal plate having expansion joints which enable the roof to accommodate differential circumferential and radial thermal expansion and contraction. The corrugations in the plate extend radially from the center of the plate and accommodate differential circumferential thermal expansion and contraction across the roof.

Abstract: A cyclone burner is provided which comprises an outer barrel with first and second ends and an inlet conduit extending tangentially into a side of the barrel for receiving a mixture of fuel and air. A hollow frustocone extends from one of the barrel ends and an injection nozzle extends from the frustum of the frustocone for discharging the mixture into a combustion chamber. A primary air vent extends axially into the other end of the barrel for venting a portion of the mixture. An outer sleeve is connected to a rod which extends through the outer barrel, into the primary air vent, and projects therefrom for actuation of the outer sleeve into the injection nozzle for controlling the amount of discharge of the mixture through the injection nozzle. An inner sleeve retractable into the outer sleeve is connected to a tube in which the inner rod extends.

Abstract: A fluidized bed heat exchanger and a method of controlling same in which a first chamber and plurality of additional chambers are formed in a housing. A particulate material is supported in all of the additional chambers and air is introduced to each of the additional chambers to fluidize the material. Particulate material is introduced into one of the chambers and the chambers communicate to permit the material to flow between the chambers. Heat is extracted from one or more of the other additional chambers and the material upon exceeding a predetermined height flows from the other additional chambers to the first chamber before discharging via the first chamber externally of the housing.

Abstract: A fluidized bed system in which a plate is disposed in an enclosure and is adapted to support particulate material. A plurality of nozzles are supported by the plate for receiving air and directing the air through the plate and into the particulate material to fluidize same. Each of the nozzles comprises a vertical portion extending upwardly from the plate for receiving air from the plenum and a horizontal portion extending below the upper portion of the vertical portion for discharging the air.

Abstract: A heat exchanger feed system and method for distributing fuel through the walls of a combustor or other heat exchanger formed by a plurality of tubes each having first and second ends and adjacent tubes being connected to form an air-tight structure. A first series of the tubes are bent out of the plane of the wall to form a cylindrical passage extending at an angle to the wall through which material can flow. Each of the tubes in the series comprises a first vertical portion extending upwardly from the first end, a first diagonal portion extending upwardly from the first vertical portion and outwardly from the wall at an angle from the vertical, a second diagonal portion extending upwardly from the first diagonal portion and inwardly towards the wall at an angle from the horizontal, and a second vertical portion extending upwardly from the second diagonal portion to the second end.

Abstract: A nozzle for use in a fluidized bed system in which a plate is disposed in an enclosure and is adapted to support particulate material. The nozzle is supported by the plate for receiving air and directing the air through the plate and into the particulate material to fluidize same. The nozzle includes a valve for permitting the flow of air through the nozzle and for preventing the backflow of particulate material.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor in which a bed of particulate material including fuel is formed in a furnace section. Air is passed through the bed at a velocity to fluidize said material and promote the combustion of the fuel. A cooler is located adjacent the vessel for receiving particulate material from the vessel and for removing heat from the material. Drain pipes are provided in the furnace section and in the cooler for selectively removing particulate material from the furnace section and the cooler.

Abstract: A fluidized bed steam generating system in which a duct is disposed between a furnace outlet and a separator inlet. The duct is formed by first and second wall panels which are comprised of a plurality of parallel tubes extending perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the combustion gases. The tubes comprising the wall panels are bent and welded to a fin extending from corresponding portions of adjacent tubes to form a gas tight structure. The ends of the tubes are connected in fluid flow communication with first and second headers which enables cooling fluid to flow through the tubes for recovering heat from the combustion gases as they flow from the furnace into the separator.

Abstract: An automated top head cover and stem guide assembly adapted for covering a top opening in vertical vessels such as coking drums, and a method for remotely operating the assembly. The top head assembly includes a flanged connector unit attached pressure-tightly to a top flange opening of a coking drum, and a top cover device including a cover unit pivotally attached to the flanged connector unit, so that the top cover unit can be pivotally lifted and moved aside. A stem guide device is also pivotally attached to the flanged connector unit, so that a stem guide unit can be pivotally moved downwardly into place over the top flange unit opening, after a stem member is inserted into the vessel. Following coke removal from the drum, the stem member is withdrawn, the stem guide unit is pivotally moved upwardly, and the head cover unit is moved downwardly to cover the coking drum flanged connector unit. The invention also discloses method steps for operating the head cover and stem guide devices of the assembly.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion method in which a recycle heat exchanger is located adjacent the furnace of the combustion system. A mixture of flue gases and entrained particulate materials from a fluidized bed in the furnace are separated and the flue gases are passed to a heat recovery section and the separated particulate material are passed back to the furnace. The walls of the furnace are formed by water tubes, and refractory metal material is placed adjacent the walls to control the heat absorption by the water passing through the tubes. The amount of refractory is selected in accordance with the desired operating temperature of the furnace.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a roof of a water-steam cooled cyclonic separator. The fixture locates, supports, and restrains portions of the roof during welding operations. By continuing that restraint through a stress relief step, the method and apparatus address the problem of distortion that otherwise would occur during welding. The method and fixture provide good access to the roof during the welding operations and, in particular, allow for faster welding and welds of higher quality by maximizing the availability of "down hand" welding techniques. The fixture is a universal fixture, designed to accommodate roofs of varying geometries.